Last Monday I attended another meeting of the Citizens’ Economic Development Commission. Our first guest was Laurie Fitzpatrick, Manager of Operations and Programs for the Gestalt International Study Center in South Wellfleet. Laurie explained the dual mission of the Center: leadership training for executives and the training of practitioners such as life coaches, consultants, therapists, and psychotherapists. Most programs now take place in the shoulder-season, Ms. Fitzpatrick said. The Center also targets the Cape community with a new program for non-profits. Our second guest was Larry Peters, representing the Historical Society. (Here is its float in the 2008 July 4th parade.)
We discussed the possibility of the ever-popular house tour being organized a second time each year, in spring perhaps, and other cultural tourism options such as a historical weekend at Thanksgiving with activities of interest to returning non-residents. Chair Paul Pilcher characterized Wellfleet as a “historical jewel,” words I found particularly pertinent to our unique little fishing village. Finally, Commission member Rhoda Flaxman described her investigation of the academic possibilities Wellfleet might be able to host. She concluded there's much competition and competitors run programs that are already well established. For the rest of the meeting, members brainstormed ideas. Everyone is to start thinking about suggestions, which Paul will turn into priorities for submission to the Selectmen in June.
